DraftKings NHL Lineup Advice: Wednesday (11/28)

Although there are only five games scheduled this evening, there is a lot to discuss. Half of the teams taking the ice will be playing their second game in as many nights. We are still early in the season and while back-to-backs are not as important to recognize as later on in the year, it is worth noting. Vegas is projecting a lot of goals tonight, so narrowing down to the right line combinations will be tricky. Let’s take a look at some of the best options.

Center

Nathan MacKinnon (COL): $7,800 vs. PITAfter being nominated for the Hart trophy last year, Nathan MacKinnon is making his case once again as the most valuable player in the league. The Avalanche captain scored two goals last night and now has 37 points in the first 24 games on the season. He is the most expensive player on the board but is worth paying up for in a great matchup.

Nazem Kadri (TOR): $4,500 vs. SJBuffalo handed the Sharks another loss last night in a tight game. San Jose is struggling in a lot of aspects of their game. Most notably, the number of shots and goals against. Assuming Auston Mathews misses this game, Nazem Kadri will continue his role as the Leafs second line center. He will log time on the top power-play unit which will provide plenty of offensive opportunities.

Wing

Mikko Rantanen (COL): $6,800 vs. PITAlong with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen is having a stellar start to the 2018-19 campaign. He is riding shotgun in arguably the best forward trio in the NHL. Rantanen leads the NHL in points (40) and assists (30). While MacKinnon is the goal scorer on the line, Rantanen has multiple-point upside every game.

Gabriel Landeskog (COL): $6,500 vs. PITThe third Colorado Avalanche player to look at this evening is Gabriel Landeskog. Even though his offensive upside is not as high as his linemates, Landeskog is still averaging over a point per game and consistently chips in on a lot of the team’s scoring. Pittsburgh comes into Denver tonight after a tough road game last night against the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado should dominate this game as the top line is completely matchup proof. The Penguins are a bottom-10 team for goals allowed. This will be played at a higher pace of play, which will benefit the Avs top line. They are expensive to stack but there are plenty of value options to pair.

Kasperi Kapanen (TOR): $5,000 vs. SJSkating on Kadri’s wing, and having a breakout season, is Kasperi Kapanen. He has benefited greatly from the absence of William Nylander, which could end next week. Kapanen is logging ice-time on the second forward line and top power-play unit and has taken advantage. He has scored 17 points in his first 24 games after getting off to slow start. Toronto should win this game against a Sharks team who traveled across the country two days ago and are coming off a loss.

Sam Bennett (CGY): $3,100 vs. DALThis is more of a “gut call” than anything. Plus he provides plenty of salary relief. Sam Bennett is just $3,100 on DraftKings and plays on the second forward line with power-play time. Again, the Flames are another team who will host a club playing their second game in as many nights. Although Calgary and Edmonton are not all that far apart (geographically), the Flames are well rested coming off a 6-1 win three days ago in Arizona.

T.J. Brodie (CGY): $3,100 vs. DALT.J. Brodie will go completely overlooked because he does not play top power-play minutes. He does not play on the power-play at all, in fact. However, he is averaging 21 minutes of ice-time per game to go along with 2.1 fantasy points per game. Brodie is on the top defensive pairing and will see even more ice-time tonight as he will have the challenge of shutting down Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. This will lead to extra blocked shots, shots on goal, and even strength point potential.

Goalie

Frederik Andersen (TOR): $8,400 vs. SJIf you read this article yesterday, Devan Dubnyk was recommended. I am sorry. He was in an ideal matchup, not only for the win but for a very good fantasy point game. He ended up allowing four goals against on just 14 shots. It happens.
That being said, Frederik Andersen grades out as a great fantasy goalie tonight. As mentioned above, San Jose is struggling in all facets of their game. What they are doing is getting shots on goal. Assuming Andersen comes out and plays like he has been all season long, he will be in line for a monster game.

Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.